先
first; in advance
xiān
What does 先 mean?
先 (xiān) is the adverb 'first / earlier / in advance' — used before a verb to mark which action happens first in a sequence. Position is fixed: subject + 先 + verb. 我先吃 = 'I'll eat first.' Often paired with 再 (zài, 'then') to express a two-step sequence: 先 A 再 B = 'first A, then B' (先洗手再吃饭 = 'wash hands first, then eat'). Also common in polite leave-taking: 我先走了 = 'I'm heading off (before you).'
Two things English speakers miss. First, 先 is NOT a noun — you cannot say 'the first one' with 先; for that, use 第一 (dì yī). Second, 先 has a separate use in the noun 先生 (xiānsheng, 'Mr. / sir'), where it carries an older meaning of 'one born earlier / elder.' In modern adverbial use, just remember: 先
Character breakdown
first; earlier; in advance
Memory hook: 先 has 儿 (legs/person) on the bottom — picture someone running ahead, getting there first.
Example sentences
我先走了，再见！
Wǒ xiān zǒu le, zàijiàn!
I'm heading out first, bye!
spoken
我们先吃饭，再去看电影。
Wǒmen xiān chī fàn, zài qù kàn diànyǐng.
Let's eat first, then go watch a movie.
spoken
你先休息一下吧。
Nǐ xiān xiūxi yíxià ba.
Take a rest first.
spoken
请先洗手，再吃东西。
Qǐng xiān xǐ shǒu, zài chī dōngxi.
Please wash your hands first, then eat.
neutral
他比我先到的。
Tā bǐ wǒ xiān dào de.
He arrived earlier than me.
neutral
Common phrases with 先
Synonyms
首先 means 'first of all / firstly' — used at the start of a sentence to introduce the first item in a list, often in writing or speeches. 先 is the in-sentence adverb attached to a specific verb. 首先，我想说... (Firstly, I want to say...) vs 我先说 (I'll speak first).
事先 means 'in advance / beforehand' (before some event). 先 is the immediate sequencer 'first, then.' 事先告诉我 = 'tell me in advance'; 先告诉我 = 'tell me first (before doing X).'
Don't confuse 先 with
前 means 'front / before' in space or time (前面 in front, 以前 before). 先 is an adverb of sequence ('do this first'). 'Before dinner' = 吃饭以前; 'eat first' = 先吃饭.